Run, Forrest, Run!

Hold on to your seats, because you guys are not going to believe this! But... a few months ago I started running. *gasp* I know! I also never thought the day would come where I'd be huffing and puffing around a park without anything chasing me. Miracles still occur, people! So you might be asking, "How on earth did this happen, Liesl?!"

Believe it or not, it all started with a teeny tiny little device called FitBit. What it is, is just a simple step counter. (You get ones with more bells and whistles though) But, to make it more exciting, FitBit has an app where you can compare your daily and weekly steps with friends and family (whom also own FitBits). My entire family and some friends have these, and I decided to get in on the action.

Now, I'm not the most competitive person in the world, but I WANTED to be at the top of that leader board. And although I already averaged about 10k to 15k steps a day, I just needed to make sure I stayed at the top. (My brother often gives me a run for my money!) 

So, one evening I threw on my running shoes, headed to the park and started running, albeit slowly and with plenty of walking in between. I don't know if it was the lovely cool breeze, fresh air, solitude, fun tunes blasting over my iPod, burst of endorphins or the fact that I reached 20k steps on my FitBit that night, but I was hooked. And I've just kept on returning to the park, addicted to that rush of feel-good hormones that flood my body after a great run.

I now run about 3 to 5km up to four times a week, which is a huge accomplishment for me and makes me feel fantastic. I don't run fast, and I don't run if I don't feel like it. For years I always wondered how people could torture themselves like that, looking like they are near death as they jog past me. But now I get it, dear red-faced-unsexy-sweaty-people-of-the-world, I'm one of you now!

Besides running, and walking a lot during the day, I've also incorporated an exercise routine I do at home about four or five times a week. I know it sounds like a lot, but it really isn't if you do it for 20 minutes while watching TV or some YouTube videos. My 20-minute routine consists of various arm exercises with my 3kg weights, squats, lunges, push-ups and sit-ups. (I'll skip the lunges and squats if I've just gotten back from running.)

I've found that just doing something active every day, really makes me feel wonderful, and it has also motivated me to eat healthier, too. Running has been great for keeping anxiety at bay and helping me sleep better, and incorporating weights into my workout routine has made me much stronger and more toned.

I'm not planning on running marathons, but it would be great to be able to run 10km in one go, which is my ultimate goal. Other than that, I just want to continue living a healthier lifestyle and taking care of my mind and body. And, of course, I just want to continue kicking ass on that FitBit steps leader board! *sticks tongue out at my brother*

Step Counter: FitBit Zip (here)

Shorts: Nike Pro (here)

Trainers: Nike Free Flyknit (here)

Earphones: Sudio KLANG (here)

Bottle: DropBottle (here)

If any of you own a FitBit or similar step counter, what's your daily average steps? Do you also compete with family and friends?